I need a Marriott/SPG recommendation (US)

[goldengirlz]

Long story short, I think DD and I will be taking a girls-only spring break trip this year because H has to work/doesn’t really want to go.

I’m looking for a nice Marriott/SPG hotel (because I have status), ideally with a kids club. I’d either like to go someplace warm enough to swim in April OR maybe a city like Chicago where we can walk around and see a show or whatever.

Domestic is probably easier because I hear it’s a hassle to take a kid out of the country by yourself. And Hawaii is out because we have a separate family trip planned.

Any recommendations?

[kpol]

Are you planning on using points or cash? There are some really good deals to be had with points right now and they are apparently going to go up in March when they re-categorize some properties.

For warm places:
Residence Inn or Delray Beach Marriott in Delray Beach, FL are nice and walk able to restaurants, the beach, and have nice pools

Swan/Dolphin at Disney if you're interested in doing Disney or Orlando

My parents have a condo in Siesta Key, so I haven't stayed at any Marriott properties, but I'd highly recommend that area. I know there's a Ritz in Sarasota

Chicago:

Spring break is a toss up weather wise. It could be freezing cold and snow, nonstop rain, or it could be decent.

The Sheraton is nice and a great location for walking around. Most properties in River North would be a good location.

We just stayed at the JW Marriott, but I didn't love the location and the lounge was closed on the weekends. Our main event was seeing Hamilton, and it's a good location for that.

MH and I (we don't have kids) are going to CO for Spring Break. We're staying at the St. Regis, Aspen and The Ritz at Beaver Creek all on points. I'm not sure if a ski trip would be of interest to you, but the Westin Snowmass had a great deal.

[goldengirlz]

I’ll probably use a combination of points and cash; I don’t have enough points for an entire trip yet.

[rupertpenny]

For what it's worth, I haven't had any issues travelling with a kid without my husband, but only one of my trips has been in and out of the US. I have heard that Canada is particularly strict about this, however, but it doesn't sound like Canada is what you're looking for on this trip anyway.

[goldengirlz]

Jan 13, 2019 19:45:52 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

For what it's worth, I haven't had any issues travelling with a kid without my husband, but only one of my trips has been in and out of the US. I have heard that Canada is particularly strict about this, however, but it doesn't sound like Canada is what you're looking for on this trip anyway.

The CBP website specifically mentions Canada!

Did you travel with a notorized letter from your husband?

[rupertpenny]

Jan 13, 2019 20:23:46 GMT -5 goldengirlz said:

Jan 13, 2019 19:45:52 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

For what it's worth, I haven't had any issues travelling with a kid without my husband, but only one of my trips has been in and out of the US. I have heard that Canada is particularly strict about this, however, but it doesn't sound like Canada is what you're looking for on this trip anyway.

The CBP website specifically mentions Canada!

Did you travel with a notorized letter from your husband?

No, I meant to get one and completely forgot. I do have the same last name as my kids though, which I think helps. 

[origami]

JW Marriott in Phoenix has a lazy river, kids club, spa, etc.

[goldengirlz]

Jan 13, 2019 20:58:41 GMT -5 origami said:

JW Marriott in Phoenix has a lazy river, kids club, spa, etc.

This one and the one in Tucson are high on the list.

[ribollita]

I have taken one of my kids to Mexico alone and it was completely fine.

JW Marriott desert ridge Phoenix
JW Marriott Los Cabos
Ritz outside of Tucson

[gaudi]

JW Marriott Desert Ridge and JW Marriott Cancun are both great, but they don't have the traditional lounges that you get with status. The lounges are an additional charge regardless of status. We didn't upgrade in Phoenix, but did in Cancun and it was well worth it.

DH loves the Stanton in Miami, but I'm not sure about kids amenities. Swan/Dolphin at Disneyworld- I don't think there are a lot of guaranteed perks for status, but they waived all the resort fees, parking fees and provided breakfast for everyone in the two rooms we booked.

[alleinesein]

JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort and Spa in Scottsdale. They are kid friendly.

[goldengirlz]

Jan 15, 2019 13:16:23 GMT -5 gaudi said:

JW Marriott Desert Ridge and JW Marriott Cancun are both great, but they don't have the traditional lounges that you get with status. The lounges are an additional charge regardless of status. We didn't upgrade in Phoenix, but did in Cancun and it was well worth it.

DH loves the Stanton in Miami, but I'm not sure about kids amenities. Swan/Dolphin at Disneyworld- I don't think there are a lot of guaranteed perks for status, but they waived all the resort fees, parking fees and provided breakfast for everyone in the two rooms we booked.

The lounges are definitely a nice perk, but mostly I care about room upgrades and hitting the number of stays to keep my status for next year!

[foodiemom]

I would recommend the JW Marriott in San Antonio or one of the larger Marriott’s in Palm Desert. One of our best family trips was to Palm Desert in a Marriott. They didn’t have a drop off kids club but had lots of organized activities. This was at Desert Spring Villas.

[woowoo]

I second the JW Marriott in San Antonio. Plenty to do for the kids, GREAT spa if that's your gig, huge 6 acre waterpark, kids club, great food. San Antonio overall has a lot to offer.

[abs]

JW Mariott in San Antonio is great. Great pool, 6 water slides, lots of walking trails, fire pits at night, lawn games, good food. Highly recommend depending on when your spring break is. March can still be kind of cool here.